A wiry right-arm fast bowler, Anthony Stuart's career hit a number of highs and lows. The Newcastle-born paceman will long be remembered for a hat-trick, against Pakistan at the MCG in 1996-97, in his third one-day international, and for some excellent returns for New South Wales in the years which followed his first interstate appearance in 1994-95. From there, though, his performances tapered away quickly, to the extent that he did not again play at international level and lost his place in the New South Wales XI within another 12 months. Stuart joined the Australian Capital Territory squad in 1999-2000 as its one permitted non-resident player in a bid to return to elite-level cricket, and claimed 11 wickets from six limited-overs matches in his sole season with the Comets. But the Canberra team's axing from the Mercantile Mutual Cup at the end of the summer soon necessitated his full-time return to competition in Sydney. Two excellent seasons with Eastern Suburbs in grade ranks quickly confirmed a shift back to the same disciplined line and length, distinct movement of the ball off the seam, and sharp pace that had been the hallmarks of his game at its peak. After retiring, he returned to New South Wales in an administration capacity and moved into coaching. He has been with Wellington since 2006 and extended his contract in 2008.
Cricinfo staff April 2008